Aegate SMS Patient Compliance Service

This is a service for pharmacists to improve the health of patients in their care.

It enables the pharmacist to remind patients to take their medicines as directed, whether this is the treatment of chronic diseases such as hypertension, or short term treatments where taking the full course is vital.

Aegate is operating the system on behalf of pharmacists.

All messages generated are reviewed by a panel of pharmacists. The underlying service is managed by Aegate.

Questions:

Do I have to activate the AegateREACH™ SMS service on my computer?
No, if you have already activated the AEGATE system, you don't have to do anything. This service is automatically integrated in the AEGATE system on your software.

How do I register patients for the AegateREACH™ SMS service?
If an AegateREACH™ SMS reminder service is available for the product you are dispensing you will see a pop-up message informing you about the service and asking you if you would like to register the patient. To register the patient simply enter their mobile phone number, select the patient's preferred language and tick the box to confirm the patient has given their consent.

Can patients register themselves?
Yes. Simply write the unique code number shown in the registration pop-up on a patient registration card and hand it to the patient. The patient can then send this code preceded by the word AEGATE and followed by either NL or FR to 8670 to register themselves. . For example a patient wanting to register for program number 12345 and receive reminders in French would send the following text; AEGATE 12345 FR. For Flemish reminders simply replace FR with NL. Please inform the patient that they must insert a space between the word AEGATE and the program number

Is AegateREACH™ SMS available on all products?
The service will initially be available on a limited number of products. As the service develops we hope that more products will carry AegateREACH™ SMS reminders. If there are any particular products that you think would benefit from this service please let us know - email info@aegate.be

How much does the service cost?
AegateREACH™ SMS is provided at no charge to both you and your patients. The patient will not be charged for any SMS messages received by them as part of this program. If they send a message to the service, for example to cancel their registration, they will be charged their standard domestic rate for sending and SMS message.

Who is paying for this service?
The SMS service is supported by the manufacturer of the medicine as part of their commitment to patient safety and ensuring patients are supported in getting the most from their treatment

Can I see what messages will be sent to the patient?
Yes. For full details of each program simply click the hyperlink at the bottom of the registration pop-up. This will open up a page in your web browser with the program details.

Can a patient cancel their registration?
Yes. By sending AEGATE STOP to 8670 they will cancel their registration and receive no further SMS reminders.

Is the patient's privacy respected?
Yes. The only information requires is their mobile phone number. We promise that this number will only be used for this service and for no other purpose. The full privacy policy is available on our website at www.aegate.be/sms/privacy

Who sends the SMS messages?
The SMS messages are transmitted by the server of a third party. This company is based in the European Union and has been selected through a rigorous audit. Their systems and procedures meet the required standards for data privacy and security.

What happens with the patients data ?
The only patient data required to participate in the service is a mobile phone number. We do not request or require any personal data that could potentially identify the patient. The phone number is stored securely. Once the program is finished or the patient sends a request to stop receiving messages, his phone number is deleted within a reasonable time from all Aegate systems.

Can I, pharmacist, see how many messages my patient will receive?
When a message appears that there is an AegateREACH SMS service available, there will be a link in the pop up screen to our website. Here you can find detailed information about each individual program including the content and frequency of the messages that will be sent.

What if the patient stops his medication?
The patient will continue to receive messages until the end of the program. After the last message, or when sending a stop request, he will receive no more messages.

What if the patient goes to another doctor or pharmacist?
He will remain registered with the service until the set sequence of messages finishes or he sends a stop request.